No Means Stop! - Campaign for the prevention of sexual violence among university students
The Project UNISEXO, promoted by the Portuguese Association for Victim Support, envisages acting on preventing sexual violence in higher education institutions, focusing primarily on occasional and dating relationships established by university students.
The devaluation of forced sex in intimate relationships and of minor sexual acts (like touches and forced kisses), the increase of the use of alcohol and other substances in a festive environment and the usual excesses in academic festivities are factors that may lead victims not to denounce or even perceive them as criminal acts.
The main activity of Project UNISEXO is the development a campaign for the prevention of sexual violence among university students. The campaign will be held through diverse means, namely: video and radio spots, leaflets, posters and street furniture, along with other materials. The campaign aims to bind a key message: “No Means Stop! Respect the will of others. Sexual violence is a crime.”
Project UNISEXO is financed by the QREN/POPH (National Reference Strategic Framework/Operational Programme Human Potential), Axis 7 – Gender Equality, measure 7.3. – technical and financial support to NGO’s, measure managed by the National Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality.
“Security, Democracy and Cities: The Future of Prevention” | 12/14 December | France
On the 12th, 13th and 14th of December, the Conference “Security, Democracy and Cities: The Future of Prevention” will be held in France.
Organized by EFUS (European Forum for Urban Security) in partnership with Aubervilliers and Saint-Denis (France), this interdisciplinary and international conference will be dedicated to the exchange of practices, experience and knowledge on crime prevention in Europe and around the world.
At this Conference, where it will be discussed topics related to drug abuse, minorities, organized crime and violence against women, will also be held lectures with experts in various fields in order to evaluate the urban security policies over the past 25 years, the challenges for the future of prevention as well as the main themes discussed by local authorities. Another highlight of this conference will be the adoption of the Manifesto which will reflect the political position adopted.
This initiative, in which 800 attendants from all over the world are expected, is addressed to all those who are involved in urban security, such as local authorities, security professionals, social workers, researchers, and representatives of civil society.
Website:
www.2012conference.eu
Putting victims’ rights into practice - How to implement EU directive on victims’ rights | 26th November 2012 | European Parliament
Victim Support Europe’s conference “Putting victims’ rights into practice – How to implement EU directive on victims’ rights across the EU” will take place in the European Parliament on the 26th November from 14h to 18h and will focus on the practical implementation of the EU Directive establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime.
The conference will include presentations from representatives of the European Commission, European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. The event will also identify European best practice and input from national Member States’ perspective in relation to key rights, such as victims’ right to protection, right to information, right to individual assessment and right to support.
This is a chance for Members of the European Parliament, criminal justice agencies, national representatives, lawyers, practitioners and academics to learn more about the new EU Directive and how it can be implemented in practice to ensure victims of crime are able to access their new stronger rights across Europe.
For more information please check the website www.victimsupporteurope.eu
Joana Marques Vidal, President of APAV, is the first Portuguese woman to become General Prosecutor
Joana Marques Vidal was sworn in last October 12th as General Prosecutor by the President of the Portuguese Republic.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the Portuguese Prime Minister, the president of the Parliament and the president of the Supreme Court. In the ceremony were also present several members of the Government, namely the Minister of Economy, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Agriculture.
Holding a Bachelor degree in Law by the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon, Joana Marques Vidal was general prosecutor assistant. At the time of the nomination she was the representative of the Public Prosecution in the Regional Section of Azores’ Audit Court. Expert in the area of Family Law, the prosecutor was president of the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV) since 2007.
Besides Joana Marques Vidal’s undeniable technical skills and personal qualities, her courage facing every new challenge should be highlighted. The whole APAV team publicly addresses its congratulations for this nomination and whishes her best success.
New APAV Online Store!
The new APAV Online Store is now available. The store offers a range of products developed by APAV:
- books: directed to professionals and students;
- merchadising: lanyards, keychains and memory sticks;
- special collection TelaBags/APAV: bags made of recycled materials of old campaigns.
All these products are now available at the Online Store, where you can order and make online payments with safety.